Domestic Abuse Counselling Coordinator

To manage and co-ordinate the delivery of a specialist counselling service in
Milton Keynes to provide high quality, supportive and appropriate services to
adult survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence. This role involves building
and working as part of the MK ACT and Sexual Assault and Abuse Support
Service, Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes (SAASSBMK) organisations to make a
positive impact and collaborative team working between the two organisations.

This role also performs a support function to the wider Therapeutic Services to
provide management to therapeutic volunteers aside the Therapeutic Services
Manager.

This post will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and open to women only.
(Exempt under the Equality Act 2010 pursuant to Schedule 9, Part 1). We strive to
build a team that reflects the diversity of the community we work in and encourage
applications from traditionally underrepresented groups such as people from
Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQI+
people. If we can make this easier through accommodation in the recruitment
process, please do get in touch by phone ) or email
(recruitment@saassbmk.org.uk).

Service Background:

Sexual Assault and Abuse Support Service Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes
(SAASSBMK) provides support to anyone over the age of 16, regardless of gender,
religion, ethnicity, sexuality or socio-economic background, who has experienced
sexual violence., Our organisations are collaborating to provide survivors of domestic abuse with
specialist 1:1 counselling and psychoeducation, hosted by SAASSBMK. This is in
line with our joint aims to ensure all survivors of domestic abuse and sexual
violence have access to therapeutic support to help them understand their
experience, the impact it has had on them and to help them move forward., Service Delivery & Development

• To process referrals and carry out assessments and risk assessments and

then formulating bespoke care plans to ensure service user receive timely
flexible support.

• Management of own caseload of up to 10 service users, this will be mainly

centre based but could be in outreach locations or via online/telephone.

• To manage the Domestic Abuse counselling waiting list and match and

introduce counsellors to service users and provide ongoing support and
supervise as necessary including reviewing attendance to clinical
supervision.

• Contribute to the provision of an ongoing, rolling programme of training for

counsellors and support the Therapeutic Services Manager in the
development of counselling volunteers knowledge, skills, and competence
by helping to organise and deliver on-going training to help motivate and
maximise the effectiveness of the team.

• To be involved in the development of relevant policies and procedures for

the service and to abide by them

• To ensure there are suitable and welcoming spaces for the counselling

services to be delivered from.

• To have oversight of Domestic Abuse Counselling team budget and ensure

work is delivered in line with agreed budget.

• To review Domestic Abuse Counselling volunteer and sessional worker's

expenses and invoices to approve for payment.

• To conduct regular reviews of the service, including reviewing targets and

outcomes with support from the Head of Services,
• Implementing and monitoring systems to ensure that the Domestic Abuse

counselling service is meeting the requirements of its funders including
completion of monitoring requirements within given timescales

• To develop, foster and maintain excellent relationships with all relevant

internal and external stakeholders and organisations

• To adhere to the BACP ethical framework


• To undertake other tasks within the spirit of the job as deemed appropriate

by SAASSBMK

• To collect maintain, analyse and report quantitative and qualitative data and

ensure prescribed outcomes and delivery

• To take immediate safeguarding action where necessary and act as a

Designated Safeguarding Officer for the organisation.


Management


• Alongside the Therapeutic Services Manager, to be responsible for the dayto-day

management of the sessional and volunteer counselling team, the
recruitment, training and induction of team members, overseeing volunteer
record keeping and other administrative processes

• To provide line management and reflective supervision to SAASSBMK

therapeutic sessional and volunteer counsellors

• Co-host monthly peer support meetings and counselling surgeries for

counsellors with the Therapeutic Services Manager to ensure counsellors
have regular and effective spaces for queries and support.

• Ensure service user records including the database and documentation are

up-to-date, accurate, and kept confidential in line with SAASSBMK's policies
and procedures and GDPR requirements.

• To act as the Domestic Abuse lead for SAASSBMK, raising awareness

internally and externally around the specific issue of domestic abuse and
the intersection with sexual violence

• To work within relevant ethical frameworks including the BACP, SCOPED

framework and the National Service Standards of RCEW, TST and Lime
Culture.

• To model and promote SAASSBMK's commitment to equality, diversity and

inclusion.

• To engage local communities through effective communication,

transparency, and collaboration to promote recovery in all aspects of the
service.,
• To work with other service managers and coordinators with regards to

advocacy needs, reviewing and approving letters of support for service
users.

• To act as a source of specialist advice and support to the wider staff and

volunteer teams regarding complex issues that might arise from their work
with service users.

• To be involved in the development of relevant policies and procedures for

the service and wider organisation, and to abide by them.


General Responsibilities


• Monitor, maintain, plan, and prioritise own workload.


• Attend regular line management, clinical supervision, training and team

meetings and events as required.

• Maintain and improve competencies through continuous professional

development.

• Abide by all organisational policies, codes of conduct and practices.


• Actively support and promote inclusion, diversity, and equality of

opportunity in the workplace.

• Treat confidentially any personal, private, or sensitive information about

service delivery, individual organisations, service users and staff, in line
with SAASSBMK's policies.

• Carry out occasional evening and/or weekend work as required


• Carry out duties as may arise, develop, or be assigned in line with the

broad remit of the position to contribute to the smooth functioning of
the organisation.

Specification Essential Desirable
Knowledge
Minimum of Level 4 Diploma in Counselling X
BACP Membership or other equivalent body X
An excellent understanding of the needs of people X
affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence
Knowledge of adult and children safeguarding X
protection, procedures and legislation, and experience
of managing safeguarding issues
A good understanding of data protection and X
confidential working practices and how these apply to
this role
Experience
Experience of working with people facing multiple and X
complex challenges, including risk assessment and
supporting people in emotional distress
Experience of maintaining clear boundaries X
Development and implementation of new policies or X
processes and demonstrating impact
Experience of managing volunteers X
Skills
Excellent prioritisation, planning and managing own X
workload
Good organisational skills, including collating and X
processing information for statistical purposes
Strong IT skills, including the ability to use Word, Excel, X
PowerPoint and databases
Excellent team working skills and ability to build positive X
relationships with colleagues, partners and other
agencies
Good verbal and written communication and listening X
skills
Ability to develop and deliver training X
Personal Qualities
Kind, compassionate and non-judgemental X
Committed to working within the ethos of SAASSBMK's X
core values, including the commitment to equality,
diversity and inclusion
A positive and creative approach to tackling tasks and X
problems
Commitment to professional development and X
willingness to undertake training required for the role